When you look out your airplane window, you might not think much about the runway below, but keeping it safe and strong takes year-round care. At Rochester International Airport (RST), our operations team rolls up their sleeves each spring and fall to perform planned runway maintenance that helps keep every takeoff and landing smooth.
Because our runway is so long, the work is done in sections over a couple of days. The process starts by filling small areas of concrete with a special material called Delpatch. Once that sets, the repair is sealed with tar to make sure it’s durable and ready for the elements. On a good-weather day, the materials cure in about an hour.
These projects are called planned maintenance, which means they’re scheduled ahead of time and help prevent bigger issues later on. Along with pavement repairs, our team also takes care of repainting runway and taxiway markings, replacing in-pavement lights, and sealing cracks.
It’s all part of making sure RST is a safe, reliable, and welcoming place for every traveler—whether you’re heading out on a big adventure or arriving for the first time.
